I’ve refused to rent in a place that required a brokers fee, and that meant most decent apartments were not available to me. I for one am glad this is finally coming to an end (after the first failed attempt).
Rental brokers are useless, and their fees often exceed 1 month rent (15% of annual rent, so $5k/mo apartment you’re paying first month $5k, deposit $5k, and $9k brokers fee).